Here’s why the chemistry in Nandigram failed

Jana’s is just one of the 142 such families whose farmlands were taken over. Of them, 19 families had lost the roof over their heads as well. Some were lucky. They received a small compensation for their loss after knocking on the doors of the Calcutta High Court. Others received nothing. The ghost of Jellingham continues to haunt Nandigram. So, recently, when the LF was preparing to have a go at the much bigger chemical hub project, the people of Nandigram did not believe it was for real. The CPI(M) suffered a crisis of credibility.

For despite all the sufferings of people like Jana, the project, meant to manufacture rigs for oil exploration in Nandigram-I block, was closed down in 1981 — four years after it was set up amid much fanfare. The project had proved unviable due to labour problems and unfavourable business.

The Indian Express team visited the spot to find vast areas of the unit lying unused and unattended — with equipment worth crores rusting. Transformers, cranes and iron beams lay overgrown with vegetation. A part of the area along the shoreline had been used for dredging.

“We were promised payment for our land, employment for our family members and rehabilitation. Nothing has happened. Some got temporary jobs as labourers as work on the project started in 1978. Others got nothing. I am tired and have grown old making rounds of the courts and the KoPT offices for my dues. It has been so many years and the land is lying unused. At present I have only three bighas and 12 mouths to feed. But that too is under threat, to be taken away for the chemical hub,” said Jana.

Late Adhir Jana’s three sons — Bhanugopal, Subodh and Badal — they met the same fate. They lost 2 acres 75 decimal land for the project. “My father died waiting for the compensation and rehabilitation. We applied to Burns for a job. They called us for interviews after which we heard nothing from them. We have 14 people to feed,” said Bhanugopal (55), who works as an agricultural labourer.

Following the land acquisition in 1977, locals protested and a Beneficiary Committee was set up under the aegis of the CPI(M) and led by the then CPI MLA Shakti Bal. The Committee, however, failed to redress the grievances of the locals. No compensation or rehabilitation materialised for the affected families.

“They (the equipment) are still there as eyesores and an embarrassment to the present government, which is trying to market the idea of industrialization,” said Abu Taher, a local Trinamool Congress leader. At present, the Zilla Parishad is practising community forestry on the unused lands of Jellingham Project.

Added Taher: “The experience of Jellingham project has given rise to an apathy for industrialisation at Nandigram. Now people are managing to earn two square meals a day from whatever they have. A proper resettlement programme is a far cry for the Left Front government. For them, only a specific political colour will benefit.”